Early this month, the prestigious Prix Versailles dropped its annual list of architectural icons, and guess what? Three hotels from the Middle East made the global “most beautiful” cut. We’re talking next-level design, vibes, and energy — from desert dreams in Luxor to futuristic floatiness in Saudi waters.
Whether you’re planning your next staycation or just moodboarding your Pinterest boards, these spots are everything.
Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab – Dubai, UAE
Imagine a cruise ship that decided to park forever, in the most glamorous way possible. That’s basically the energy of Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab.
The third (and final) piece in Dubai’s ocean-themed hotel trilogy, this beauty is docked on a private peninsula, right between the iconic Burj Al Arab (aka that sail-looking building) and Jumeirah Beach Hotel (the one shaped like a wave).
Every floor is decked out like a ship’s deck, giving you serious “rich on a yacht” vibes without ever leaving land. Inside? It’s all modern, global, and peak-Dubai drama. Basically, once you check in, there’s no need to roam — this place is the destination.
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Al Moudira – Luxor, Egypt
Welcome to Al Moudira, where the desert comes alive as the main character. Tucked on Luxor’s West Bank, this hotel looks like a mirage.
Think 10 lush courtyards, palm groves for days, and architecture that pulls inspo from Alexandria, Cairo, Beirut, and Damascus.
Designed by Olivier Sednaoui and brought to life by Zeina Aboukheir (and later revamped in 2024 by new owner Florian Amereller), the whole place drips with hand-painted details, mashrabiya screens, and a vibe that says, “Yes, we have taste and heritage.”
It’s not trying to imitate the past — it is the past, reimagined in the most aesthetic way.
Shebara – Shaybarah Island, Saudi Arabia
If Apple designed a resort, it would probably look like Shebara. Floating 25 km off Saudi Arabia’s coast, this eco-luxury island is basically a sci-fi utopia.
Villas shaped like giant pearls? Check. Stainless steel surfaces that mirror the sea and sky like some surreal TikTok filter? Yup.
Designed by Killa Design (the brains behind Dubai’s Museum of the Future), Shebara blends sustainability with straight-up innovation, complete with a solar farm and its own water system.
It’s also surrounded by mangroves, coral reefs, dunes, and turtles.
The Middle East Is Serving Looks (and Luxury)
From desert palaces to sea-bound spaceships, these hotels are proof that the Middle East isn’t just keeping up — it’s setting the bar. Whether you’re here for the heritage, the futuristic design, or just the aesthetics, one thing’s for sure: hotel goals have officially been reset.
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